Lighting for a 240 long thank

[jb0187]

Hello, I'm new to this hobby and just got my 240 long thank and I want to make sure I get the right equipment for it before I start getting live rock and corals so here is the lights I want to get- 2 48 inch 8x54W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture please let me know what you guys think thanks Jairo!

[crvz]

Hey Jairo, welcome to TRT! Can you provide the dimensions of your tank?

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT I 2nd for the dimensions.

[jenglish]

Also, what do you want to keep in the tank?

[jb0187]

Thanks guys for the replies here are the dimensions 96 x 24 x 25 Tall

[jb0187]

I was thinking of putting a little of everything hard and soft corals and of course some fish, but I guess I wont know till I load the tank up with live rocks...

[crvz]

Those sunlight supply fixture will work, but you've got to think about your application. If you have the space, you may be able to get a little more efficiency out of a nice metal halide retrofit setup. Three 250W bulbs in good reflectors (like lumenmax elites or lumen bright larges) evenly spaced over the tank should do well. In that application, you're looking at 750W out of 3 bulbs, and a cost of about ~$1000 to get started. In your proposed setup, you're looking at ~860W out of 16 bulbs, and about the same cost to get started (if you're buying everything new).

But let's look at bulb replacement time. Looking at 3 year cycle, you'll replace the T5s twice and the Metal Halides 3 times. 16 T5 bulbs at $25 each and two replacements is $800. 3 MH bulbs at around $70 each and three replacements is $630. Personally, on a tank that size, the simplicity (and aesthetics) of a metal halide setup appeals better than T5, and the costs make sense.

[Fat Tony]

Originally Posted by crvz

Those sunlight supply fixture will work, but you've got to think about your application. If you have the space, you may be able to get a little more efficiency out of a nice metal halide retrofit setup. Three 250W bulbs in good reflectors (like lumenmax elites or lumen bright larges) evenly spaced over the tank should do well. In that application, you're looking at 750W out of 3 bulbs, and a cost of about ~$1000 to get started. In your proposed setup, you're looking at ~860W out of 16 bulbs, and about the same cost to get started (if you're buying everything new).

But let's look at bulb replacement time. Looking at 3 year cycle, you'll replace the T5s twice and the Metal Halides 3 times. 16 T5 bulbs at $25 each and two replacements is $800. 3 MH bulbs at around $70 each and three replacements is $630. Personally, on a tank that size, the simplicity (and aesthetics) of a metal halide setup appeals better than T5, and the costs make sense.

Well said Chris, I couldn't have put it any better myself

[jb0187]

Well now that's what I was looking for someone to point me in the right direction so any suggestions on were to buy it....

[Fat Tony]

At the top if the forum there is a search box... you can type the product you are looking for in there and search for the lowest price on that product.

[jb0187]

Thanks a lot for all the info I think I found what I was looking for so thanks for the advise....

[Fat Tony]

No problem.. feel free to ask away if you have any more Q's

[jb0187]

Thanks man I will let you know if there's anything else, oh but the way I see you have a picture of Bender I have pictures with the cast of Futurama but can't post them because I don't have enough post yet I guess I'll post them later anyways thanks.....

[jb0187]

Were are u from In SC I'm in Summerville....

[Fat Tony]

Greenville... where at in Summerville? I moved up here from Mt Pleasant. My wife is from Goose Creek.